Antique George Hunzinger Chairs

Antique George Hunzinger Chairs are original pieces of furniture made by George Hunzinger, a German born furniture maker who produced some of the most innovative and original chair designs of the 19th century.

History & Description

Born in 1835, Germany, George Hunzinger emigrated to the United States in 1855 and began manufacturing furniture in New York City.

Hunzinger was renowned for incorporating new technology and materials into his furniture and was one of the foremost patent furniture designers.

Today, his protomodern furniture designs are extremely sought after by antique furniture collectors.

Collecting Guide

In recent years, chairs designed by George Hunzinger have become increasingly popular items for collectors. One of the most idiosyncratic and innovative furniture designers to emerge from America in the nineteenth century, Hunzinger’s chair designs were atypical of the furniture produced in the Victorian age, which has ensured that there is growing market for Hunzinger chairs.

While still relatively uncommon at both Bonhams and Sotheby’s, Hunzinger chairs are frequently sold at Christie’s and prices tend to range from $600 to $2,000.

Hunzinger chairs can also be purchased from a few online antique dealers, such as 1stdibs.com and Goantiques.com.

Arguably the most sought after Hunzinger chairs are his patented “duplex spring” rocking chairs that were designed from 1882. In February 2012, Goantiques.com listed a number of Hunzinger rocking chairs and prices ranged from $200 to $5,000.

Notable auction sales

In October 2006, three signed George Hunzinger walnut side chairs, two covered in velvet upholstery, the other in leather, realised a price of $1,920 through Christie’s, New York.

In March 2004, a stained hardwood rocking chair, designed by George Hunzinger in the late-nineteenth century, was sold through Christie’s in London for a realised price of £2,629. The item had a pre-sales estimate of £300 to £400.

In January 2001, at Christie’s in New York, a white oak lollipop armchair, attributed to George Hunzinger, circa 1870, realised a price of $881.

In October 2006, two George Hunzinger ring-turned and woven chairs, both made in 1876, were sold through Christie’s, New York, for $660.